CNBC Names Kimberly-Clark Asia Pacific President Achal Agarwal Asia Business Leader of the Year

CNBC, the world's leading business and financial news network, has named Kimberly-Clark Asia Pacific President Achal Agarwal Asia Business Leader of the Year.  

This is the top honor at the prestigious CNBC Asia Business Leaders Awards, which recognize outstanding business leaders for leading the way in disruptive innovation, talent management and corporate social responsibility.  Over 15 years, the awards have recognized and celebrated the region's best leaders, and are today considered the top recognition for companies. 

This year, a total of 67 business leaders from 10 countries were shortlisted for the six awards: Asia Business Leader of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, Asia Disruptor of the Year, Asia Talent Management, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Indonesia Business Leader.  The winners were announced at a gala ceremony held at the Hotel Mulia in Jakarta, Indonesia on November 23.

Reacting to his win, Achal Agarwal, President Asia-Pacific at Kimberly-Clark said: "I am honored to be awarded the prestigious CNBC Asia Business Leader of the Year 2016, and delighted that Kimberly-Clark Asia Pacific is being recognized for its leadership in innovation, talent and sustainability. It is deeply gratifying to provide solutions to our consumers that make their lives better every day. A leader is only as good as his team and I owe this to my team whose contributions made this award possible."

Speaking at the awards gala, KC Sullivan, President and Managing Director at CNBC International, said: "Over 15 years, the Asia Business Leaders Awards have recognized and celebrated the region’s best. I congratulate this year’s winners for their outstanding achievements and welcome them to the ABLA alumni circle."

To be awarded an ABLA, nominees go through three judging phases: The first includes a quantitative data analysis of company performance. In the second, judges conduct face-to-face interviews to assess the candidates’ leadership capabilities before the third and final round where overall winners are selected by an expert panel.

Click to watch a short video of the acceptance speech: http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000570909.